The 73rd edition of the International Softwood Conference was held on 22–23 October 2025 in Oslo, Norway.

European softwood markets have endured another challenging year but there is renewed hope for 2026, delegates at the International Softwood Conference (ISC) have heard in Norway.

The October 22/23 event in Oslo was the 73rd edition of the ISC and was hosted by the Treindustrien, which co-organized the event with the two usual partners: the European Organization of the Sawmill Industry (EOS) and the European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF).

The event drew over 260 participants from around the world.

An economic overview of the sector was delivered by Johan Freij, who stressed the exceptional uncertainty facing the world today, with many trends pointing to structural inflation affecting economies for the years to come. On the brighter side, he said injections of cash into the European economy could revive the European outlook.

Key points mentioned by speakers included challenges in terms of log supply, but promising signs, including the potential to improve log yields.

Overall, the sector was encouraged to be bolder in communicating the benefits of using wood to tackle climate change, not only in terms of storage but also as a substitute for more carbon-intensive materials.

After peaking in 2021, EOS member countries’ softwood production has fallen over the last few years (by about 10%) to adjust to weaker demand. If forecasts for 2025 are confirmed, production across Europe will have stabilized over the past couple of years. Early projections for 2026 also point to stable production across Europe.

Tommi Sneck, President of EOS, said raw material prices have increased across Europe, denting profitability in the industry. He said high log prices amid subdued demand for sawnwood worldwide pose a question mark for the industry: when demand resumes, there is a risk of log prices being too elevated.

On the brighter side, he said there were timid signs of recovery in the construction sector and that 2026 could be the year of recovery.

Stephen Sabine of JAM Timber Consulting stressed that the UK market is expected to remain stable, with imports slightly lower in 2025 than in 2024. A recovery could be on the cards for 2026.

Paul Jannke of Forest Economic Advisors covered North American markets. He cited pent-up demand in the US housing market due to favourable demographics and underbuilding for more than a decade, but several factors were contributing to keeping housing starts at relatively subdued levels—such as an uncertain economic outlook and high mortgage rates.

On the question of US tariffs, European producers are subject to a 10% tariff, but overall rates on Canadian sawn softwood are much higher, putting European exporters in a position of comparative advantage. Canadian exporters are looking with interest at diversifying their export markets.

Olle Berg of Setra Group, who delivered the presentation on the Chinese market, said the consumption of softwood lumber in China is a shadow of its former self due to the ongoing crisis in its construction market. The outlook for the Chinese market remains fragile, with cautious optimism after 2026.
  
Source: ttjonline.com